US Treaty Withdrawal Creates Uncertainty for Hawaii's Marine-Dependent Industries

The United States has opted out of the new United Nations treaty aimed at protecting ocean wildlife and habitats in international waters, despite the treaty achieving the required 60 ratifications.

The Change

While the treaty has been ratified by numerous nations, establishing a cooperative framework for creating marine protected areas on the high seas, the U.S. has not joined. This decision means U.S. vessels and interests will not be directly bound by the new international legal framework governing these vast, unpatrolled ocean areas. The treaty's objective is to provide a governing structure for areas beyond national jurisdictions, often referred to as the "maritime Wild West," to conserve biodiversity and establish protected zones. The U.S. absence, while not preventing the treaty's implementation among signatories, removes a major maritime power from the cooperative structure.

Who's Affected

Tourism Operators

While the direct impact on Hawaii's hotels and vacation rentals may be minimal in the short term, the U.S. withdrawal could have indirect consequences. A fractured international approach to ocean conservation might lead to less coordinated efforts to manage fish stocks or protect marine environments frequently visited by tourists (e.g., whale migration routes, significant seabird areas). This could, over time, affect the perceived sustainability of marine tourism offerings or lead to less predictable availability of certain seafood for restaurants, a key part of the visitor experience. For dive and snorkel operators heavily reliant on pristine marine ecosystems, a lack of comprehensive international protection could pose long-term risks.

Agriculture & Food Producers

For Hawaii's agriculture sector, particularly aquaculture and any businesses involved in seafood processing or distribution, the U.S. opting out presents potential disruptions. International waters are a critical source of many commercially important fish species, including those that may be imported or consumed locally. A fragmented approach to high seas conservation could lead to less effective management of shared fish stocks, potentially impacting global supply and pricing dynamics in the long run. While Hawaii's agriculture is largely land-based, the seafood component of its food production and consumption is significant. Furthermore, a perceived lack of commitment to global conservation by a major nation could influence consumer preferences and demand for sustainably sourced products, potentially creating marketing challenges for local producers aiming for high sustainability standards.

Second-Order Effects

The U.S. decision to not join the high seas biodiversity treaty could lead to a patchwork of conservation enforcement and resource management across international waters. This fragmentation might result in increased pressure on fish stocks in non-protected international zones, potentially impacting pelagic species that migrate through both international and national waters, including Hawaii's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Reduced or less predictable global fish stocks could indirectly lead to higher import costs for seafood, affecting Hawaii's overall cost of living and potentially increasing demand for locally sourced, but sometimes higher-cost, domestic or aquaculture products. This increased demand for local alternatives could further strain existing land and water resources for Hawaiian agriculture and aquaculture.

What to Do

This situation warrants a WATCH approach for businesses reliant on marine resources.

Tourism Operators should:

• Monitor consumer perception surveys and reports from major conservation organizations regarding ocean health and sustainable tourism.
• Review marketing materials to ensure any claims about marine conservation are robust and up-to-date, especially if relying on imported seafood.

Agriculture & Food Producers should:

• Track reports from international fishery management bodies, such as the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), which manage key fish stocks in the region.
• Stay informed about any new conservation initiatives or protected areas established by treaty signatories and assess their potential impact on the availability and sourcing of imported seafood.

Action Details: Monitor reports from international fishery management bodies and major conservation NGOs. If these bodies indicate significant shifts in stock management for commercially relevant species due to divergent international policies, or if consumer demand for sustainable seafood demonstrably changes due to international conservation fragmentation, consider diversifying supply chains or enhancing local sourcing where feasible.